"The team was running on the side of the road very close to his home and despite the flashing of the ATV lights and headlamp, the vehicle proceeded to hit the lead dogs and continued to drive away," Marrs said on social media.

People who drove by after the incident took Sockeye, Marrs' 2-year-old lead dog, to an emergency clinic. Nolan drove the rest of the team home.

Sockeye's X-rays determined she suffered an oblique displaced fracture, an injury that usually can be repaired with surgery, Marrs said.

Sockeye will be out for the rest of the season but might be able to return next year, he said.

Marrs has finished in the top-10 for the past three Iditarods, including one fourth-place finish in 2016.